In 2016, we noted important strides and a strong momentum in the development and promotion of factoring in Africa that saw not only the increase in factoring activities but also the emergence of factoring companies as well as heightened interest from regulators and law makers. We also saw a shin in the focus of international factoring organisations from the more established factoring jurisdictions to Africa. The African Export Import Bank (Afreximbank or the Bank) remained a major champion and facilitator of a number of initiatives in this direction placing strong focus on making factoring a strategic priority, building on its activities in the past years and backing it as an alternative instrument to traditional commercial loans in the support and Snancing of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).